Ahrefs vs Semrush2026
Ahrefs
SEO Tools
The most powerful SEO toolset for backlink analysis, keyword research, and competitive intelligence.
Semrush
SEO Tools
The industry-leading SEO and digital marketing platform for keyword research, site audits, and competitor analysis.
Our Verdict
Ahrefs has the pricing advantage ($129/mo vs $140/mo).
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Ahrefs | Semrush |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $129/mo | $140/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 7 days | |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | teams of all sizes | teams of all sizes |
| Tracked features | 7 | 10 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2010 | 2008 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Ahrefs
SubscriptionSemrush
SubscriptionAhrefs
$129/moSemrush
$140/moAhrefs
Semrush
Ahrefs
Semrush
7 daysRatings & Reviews
Ahrefs
No reviews yetSemrush
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Ahrefs
teams of all sizesSemrush
teams of all sizesAhrefs
7Semrush
10Company
Ahrefs
2010Semrush
2008Ahrefs
Semrush
Key Differences
Ahrefs
$129/mo✓
Semrush
$140/mo
Ahrefs
Not available
Semrush
✓7 days
Ahrefs
7 tracked features
Semrush
✓10 tracked features
Ahrefs is best for…
Strengths
- Most accurate backlink database available
- 28B+ keyword database across 10 search engines
- Best-in-class competitor content analysis
- Content Gap tool finds quick wins
Semrush is best for…
Strengths
- Most complete SEO data available
- Covers SEO PPC content and social
- 25B keyword database
- Unmatched competitive intelligence
Pricing Comparison
Ahrefs
From $129/mo
Lite plan from $129/month. Standard at $249/month. Annual billing saves 2 months.
Semrush
From $139.95/mo
Pro plan at $139.95/month. Annual billing saves 17%.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Both tools
- Keyword Research
- Rank Tracking
- Backlink Analysis
- Site Audit
- Competitor Analysis
- Dashboard & Reporting
- API Access
Only in Semrush
- Social Scheduling
- Social Analytics
- Content Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Ahrefs and Semrush?
- Ahrefs has the pricing advantage ($129/mo vs $140/mo).
- Is Ahrefs cheaper than Semrush?
- Ahrefs is cheaper at From $129/mo vs From $139.95/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Ahrefs to Semrush?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Ahrefs to Semrush with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. Semrush offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Ahrefs.
- Does Ahrefs or Semrush offer a free trial?
- Semrush offers a free trial of 7 days. Ahrefs does not currently offer a free trial.